The Menagerie Variety Show

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An article & photo by Amy Jackman

The good people have taken a lovely photo of a few of the November performers and given us a nice wee write up on the prized spot on the cover. You can see the full article on stuff.co.nz or you can read it below….

A Wellington burlesque dancer has switched from teaching in the West Bank to variety show producer.

Rachel Rouge ran the cabaret drawing event Dr Sketchy before spending a year travelling around the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

She backpacked to Jordan, Palestine and Iraqi Kurdistan, where she attended Arabic classes while teaching English and art.

“I have two great passions in my life. One is the Middle East, and the other is flouncing around in my underwear onstage,” she said.

Now back in Wellington, Rouge is starting a whole new venture – a variety show, The Menagerie, to be performed at The Fringe Bar’s new location in Allen St.

“I love variety shows,” she said. “The great thing is if you don’t like the act it will soon be gone and something different will take its place.” The Menagerie, every second month starting November 23, 8pm, The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, themenagerie.co.nz.

We have a write up in Scoop! ..ok, ok, it’s not a write up, Scoop.co.nz were kind enough to publish our November press release.

Here is the whole release:

The Menagerie: a collection of the unique and talented

A new variety show is starting up in Wellington. Every two months, residents of the capital will be treated to a hand-picked selection of performers at The Menagerie in The Fringe Bar’s new location on Allen Street.

The curator and ring master of the show is local burlesque dancer Rachel Rouge.

“I like to collect things: stories, old locks, taxidermy, adventures, and uniquely talented people.” Rouge will bring together a collection of her favourite performers in a perfect menagerie of entertainment.

Rouge wants to maintain as much variety as possible in each show, giving the audience a peek at some of Wellington’s best performers. “It’s called a variety show for a reason, we have brought together a fun ensemble of performers, each with their own unique talents.”

The first show on the 23rd of November features musical comedy from Gabriel Page, physical theatre from Jen McArthur (winner of Best of the Fringe in Dunedin and Best Solo Show in Wellington), accordionist Emma Wollem, Magician Anton van Helden, as well as burlesque, cabaret and just a touch of rope bondage.